Report: Raptors centre Biyombo will become unrestricted free agent

Bismack-Biyombo;-Toronto-Raptors

Bismack Biyombo. (Nathan Denette/CP)

Toronto Raptors centre Bismack Biyombo will decline the $2.9 million player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting.

Marc Stein on Twitter

As a free agent, Biyombo’s asking price will begin at $15 million per season, Stein is also reporting.

Marc Stein on Twitter

The massive raise likely comes as a result of both the NBA’s salary cap set to increase and the strong post-season Biyombo enjoyed.

In 19 playoff games this season, Biyombo averaged 6.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game on 60 per cent shooting, that included a monstrous 26-rebound, four-block performance in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Raptors don’t own Biyombo’s Bird rights so re-signing him to that estimated $15 million per season looks to be impossible given the fact they have to make a decision on all-star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan and the max contract he is likely to command.

Toronto was eliminated from the playoffs by Cleveland on Friday in Game 6 of their conference final series.

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